AltWeeklies Wire
Conservative Pundits Whine as Barack's Hip-Hop Supporters Opinenew
Dozens, if not hundreds, of underground rappers from all over the country have strongly resonated with Barack Obama's message. The Bay Area hip-hop community in particular has been solidly behind him, as evidenced by the popular "Obizzle Fa Shizzle" T-shirts seen around town.
East Bay Express |
Eric K. Arnold |
05-08-2008 |
Music
Miles Bonny is the Innate Sounds Crew's 'Alpha' Malenew
Miles is all about the positive these days. The storied local DJ, hip-hop producer, jazz trumpeter and soul singer who has released solo material overseas has a new day job: as a case manager for troubled teens in Wyandotte County.
Dizzee Rascal Returns to His Promising Startnew
Maths + English has its flaws -- focusing a little too much, yes, on how much cred Rascal has (or should be seen as having) -- but it mostly serves as a resounding return to form for an oddly voiced rapper.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
05-05-2008 |
Reviews
How Atmosphere Went Electronew
Why When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold is like Tom Waits for Prince fans.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Peter S. Scholtes |
04-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The New Roots Album has Some Feeling Nostalgicnew
I didn't get hardcore Rootsy until '99 when they dropped their commercial breakthrough Things Fall Apart, which people were touting as the last great hip-hop album of the 20th century. (Looking back, it kinda was.)
Philadelphia Weekly |
Craig D. Lindsey |
04-28-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Pharrell Williams Puts Music Ahead of Moneynew
The in-demand producer hits the road with Chad Hugo and Shay Haley. This time around, though, all three are dedicated to acting like a real band -- even completing a small-venue circuit.
Westword |
Michael Roberts |
04-28-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Kickdrums May be Hip-hop's Next Big Beatmakersnew
And they work out of a closet in Avon, Ohio.
Cleveland Scene |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
04-28-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: hip-hop, beatmakers, 50 Cent, M.O.P., Alex Fitts, Matt Penttila, Ray Cash, The Kickdrums, Verbal, Young Wazzie
How Does Inflowential Stack Up in mtvU's New Contest?new
Pitted against We Are Only Fiction and The Lives of Famous Men, Inflowential now competes for a grand prize package that includes $10,000, cell phones and the host spot for an episode of mtvU's Dean's List.
Holsey Turner: Kansas City's Newest Unknown Rapper on the Risenew
On his debut, Who's the New Guy?, Turner sounds like a cockier version of Lupe Fiasco.
The Pitch |
Nadia Pflaum |
04-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Ballot, Not the Bulletnew
Oakland hip-hop political activist Chuck Johnson hopes voter tallies can cut down on death tallies.
East Bay Express |
Eric K. Arnold |
04-23-2008 |
Music
Maybe PPT Had Too Much Confidencenew
Denglish finds Dallas hip-hop crew PPT stumbling over the same goofiness that usually makes its act so endearing.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
04-21-2008 |
Reviews
Gnarls Barkley's Switch from ADD Workouts to Xanax Meditationsnew
If St. Elsewhere was the party disc, Gnarls Barkley's follow-up, The Odd Couple, is either the soundtrack for the after-party or the next-day walk of shame.
Seattle Weekly |
Karla Starr |
04-21-2008 |
Reviews
Talib Kweli's Beautiful Business Modelnew
Like most rappers, Talib Kweli wants what Jay-Z has -- money, esteem, an audience -- but in his pursuit of these goals he's been held to a much stricter standard than Jay-Z. Long ago labeled a conscious rapper by his fans, Kweli is expected to be above the perceived vanity of mainstream rap.
Shepherd Express |
Evan Rytlewski |
04-18-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
RJD2 Keeps 'em Guessingnew
The beatmaker extraordinaire has made a career of confounding expectations.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Jeff Shaw |
04-16-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Kanye, Jay-Z, Mary J., and Rihanna Clamor for Diva Statusnew
As Ye-Day approaches, one question looms large: Can any arena contain Kanye West's massive ego?
Tags: Jay-Z, hip-hop, R&B, Kanye West, pop, rap, Lupe Fiasco, Mary J. Blige, N.E.R.D., Rihanna, concerts
